Jaylen Smith, an 18-year-old college student in Arkansas, has been elected the youngest black mayor in the United States.
18-year-old college student Jaylen Smith in Arkansas, USA, was elected mayor of the town of Earle, where 1800 people live. Smith, who finished high school in May, is reportedly the youngest black mayor in the history of the United States.
For the first time in US history, an 18-year-old is not elected mayor, but the election result announced yesterday was celebrated with great surprise and joy.
Smith, who ran for the Democratic Party, wrote on Facebook, "It's time to turn a better page for Earle, Arkansas. Thank you to all my supporters who took action to get people to vote. I really appreciate all of you."
"You have to start somewhere. I didn't want to be mayor at 30 or 40 when I could be now," Smith told the Washington Post.
Smith also served as the school student union president while in high school.
During his election campaign, he took advice from Frank Scott Jr., mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas, with a population of 200,000.
In addition to serving as mayor, Smith plans to continue his education at Arkansas State University Mid-South and become a prosecutor.
Speaking to CNN, Frank D. Scott Jr., president of the Association of Black Mayors, said: "I'm excited for everyone who lives in Jaylen and Earle. Jaylen has been elected the youngest black mayor in the United States. For being so eager to serve the community with him at such a young age. I'm proud," he said.
In 2005, 18-year-old white Michael Sessions was elected mayor of Hillsdale, Michigan, before he finished high school.
The principal said of Sessions, "I told him, even if he wins, he still has to finish his homework. I don't want to suspend the official."